The University of Washington’s Civil Rights and Title IX Summit, hosted by the Civil Rights Compliance Office, brings together UW staff from across campuses, including representation from our academic, administrative, and medical center environments. This free continuing education opportunity for staff seeks to strengthen shared understanding and promote coordinated, effective responses to civil rights concerns within the University community.
This conference-style event is designed for UW staff whose roles include responding to civil rights matters involving students and employees, including issues arising under Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, the ADA, and related laws and University policies. Through keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and facilitated discussions, participants will engage with colleagues, deepen their knowledge, and build practical skills to support equitable access to UW programs, services, and activities.
The Summit will feature:
- A keynote address by Timothy J. Heaphy, “When Civil Rights Collide in Higher Education”
- Concurrent breakout sessions exploring emerging civil rights topics
- Discussions tailored to the UW’s civil rights policy and practices
- Opportunities to connect with colleagues across campuses and units
Event Details
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM (Check-in begins at 9:00 AM)
Location: Husky Union Building (HUB 250), Seattle Campus
Audience: UW staff (by invitation only)
Cost: Free
Lunch: Provided
Registration: Attendance is by invitation only, and advance registration is required. The registration link was included in the email invitation sent to eligible attendees. If you have questions or concerns about registration or attendance, please contact civilrights@uw.edu.
The University of Washington is committed to providing access and accommodation in its services, programs, and activities. To make a request connected to a disability or health condition, contact civilrightsed@uw.edu by February 13, 2026. Learn more about Accessibility in the HUB.
9:00 – 9:30 AM: Check-in with coffee and tea
9:30 – 9:45 AM: Opening Remarks
9:45 – 10:45 AM: Opening Keynote
10:45 – 11:00 AM: Break
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM: Breakout Session Round I
12:15 – 1:30 PM: Lunch and Learn
1:30 PM – 1:45 PM: Break
1:45 – 3:00 PM: Breakout Session Round II
3:00 – 3:05 PM: Break
3:05 – 3:30 PM: Closing Address
Opening Keynote
This keynote will explore the high-stakes intersections of free speech and civil rights on college campuses. Drawing on his experience navigating complex legal, ethical, and leadership challenges, Timothy J. Heaphy will examine real-world dilemmas that institutions face when competing rights collide—and invite attendees to consider how these tensions shape the future of higher education.
Timothy J. Heaphy, founding partner of the Washington, D.C. law firm Heaphy, Smith, Harbach & Windom, LLP.
Breakout Session Round I
This panel discussion offers frontline perspectives on preventive and responsive civil rights work at the UW. Panelists will share what issues they are seeing, what community members are asking for, and how partners and the University can support these needs. Using concrete case examples, the discussion will highlight successes, challenges, and strategies for supporting students and the broader community. Attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on these insights and consider how they can strengthen partnerships and practice in their own roles.
Natalie Dolci, LICSW (she/her), Assistant Director of SafeCampus
Brennon Ham, Director of the Q Center
Kristian Wiles (he/him), Associate Vice President for Student Success in the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity
This workshop looks at how disability intersects with other civil rights issues–including discrimination, harassment, and violence–across both student and employee contexts. Grounded in foundational concepts in disability studies, we will explore intersectionality, trauma-informed practice, and how our assumptions about disability influence compliance and care work. Participants will leave with practical strategies to build accessibility and disability rights into the nature of their work.
Christine Lew (she/her), Associate Director of Accommodations at Bellevue College
Toby Gallant (he/him), Civil Rights Case Manager in the Civil Rights Compliance Office
Building on his keynote, Timothy J. Heaphy will lead a breakout session that introduces additional perspectives on the intersection of free speech and civil rights in higher education, drawing on his experience in university leadership and public service. This session will provide an opportunity for participants to engage directly with Mr. Heaphy through audience Q&A, exploring both practical challenges and broader implications for institutions navigating competing rights and responsibilities.
Timothy J. Heaphy, founding partner of the Washington, D.C. law firm Heaphy, Smith, Harbach & Windom, LLP.
Breakout Session Round II
Are your equity initiatives stalled by the ‘status inversion’ trap? In the complex landscape of higher education, institutions often unintentionally flip hierarchies of credibility instead of reimagining the underlying “rules of the game.” This session invites discussion about how status inversion manifests across staff, faculty, and student interactions, often resulting in an unfair distribution of equity labor and the loss of nuanced dialogue. We will discuss the specific tensions staff face when identity is conflated with expertise, leading to tension, withdrawal, and burnout. J.P. will provide strategies to decouple leadership and competence from identity, fostering a DEI-B model that centers shared accountability. You will leave with practical frameworks to navigate these dynamics in your daily work, ensuring that equity efforts within your unit remain both sustainable and effective.
J.P. Anderson (he/him), Assistant Teaching Professor of American Ethnic Studies with an appointment in the Integrated Social Sciences Program
The purpose of this session is to explore ways to remain resilient during challenging times that include but also go beyond self-care and mindfulness. Participants will leave with concrete strategies based in restorative and humanistic practices to improve mental health and overall well-being. Participants will also discuss ways to build community and rely on relationships for collectivistic coping.
Dr. Charisse Williams (she/her), Director of the Center for Restorative Practices in the Office of Healthcare Equity
Join this panel of CRC coordinators for a facilitated conversation and audience Q&A focused on the most pressing issues and emerging challenges in civil rights work at the UW. This interactive session will explore current trends, high-level case examples, and how Title VI, ADA, and Title IX coordination functions in practice. Participants will have the opportunity to ask both “nuts and bolts” and big-picture questions, learn how campus partners can support prevention, accessibility, and community well-being efforts, and better understand how the coordinators and the Civil Rights Compliance Office can support their work. Attendees are encouraged to bring questions, experiences, and curiosity to this informal, discussion-based session.
Brielle Nettles (she/her), Title VI Coordinator
Valery Richardson (she/her), Assistant Vice President for Civil Rights Compliance and Title IX Coordinator
Beth Somerfield (she/her), Deputy ADA Coordinator for Digital Accessibility
Closing Address
The closing address will bring together the most important themes and lessons from the Summit, highlighting what matters most as this work continues. Assistant Vice President for Civil Rights Compliance Valery Richardson will speak to the challenges ahead and underscore the role each participant plays, sending attendees out grounded, energized, and ready to carry this work forward.
Valery Richardson (she/her), Assistant Vice President for Civil Rights Compliance and Title IX Coordinator